System and method for controlling a linear motor having multiple sections with a single variable frequency drive

Abstract

A system (500) for controlling a linear alternating current (AC) electrodynamic machine (400) includes a linear AC electrodynamic machine (400) with a stationary part (410) with a plurality of discrete stationary sections (412, 414, 416), each stationary section (412, 414, 416) having a poly-phase circuit; a variable frequency drive (VFD) (510) configured to be coupled to a utility power source and to provide output currents, wherein the VFD (510) is operable coupled to the stationary part (410) of the linear AC electrodynamic machine (400) for powering and controlling the stationary sections (412, 414, 416) of the stationary part (410); and a plurality of switches (512, 514, 516) coupled between the VFD (510) and the stationary part (410), wherein the plurality of switches (512, 514, 516) allow connecting or disconnecting the VFD (510) to or from the stationary sections (412, 414, 416).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.